Hey all! I recent made a run on a horse that's only been running for a couple months and is still gaining confidence. I had gotten some advice about getting the horse to set harder on the 1st barrel. I wasn't 100% on what all the meant so I was wondering if anybody had any drills or info about getting a horse to set harder at a barrel. I'm still learning and just wasn't sure on getting the horse to do that. I appreciate any info and drills I can take! Thanks so much!!!

By set harder do you mean shortening her stride and rounding up for her turn? If so, I'd work on straight line gait transitions. When that is good, I'd work on first barrel. Start as far back as possible from first and change her gait several times before you get there. That's an old Uncle Ed drill. He almost killed me with that drill. My horse too. We were both horrified but it did us some good. 

yes I do believe so, we had been working on that some previously but as we add more speed he starts to stiffen up and turn to early. So thank you so much! 

Find a PAUL HUMPHREY clinic in your area and go to it. It'll change your life!

You have to keep your horse round, and soft, and using their body correctly, for the whole run.

So if he is bracing, and going to turn too soon, then you as the rider need to make sure you aren't cueing him too soon. And need to learn how to keep him soft and collected, so he can inhale that turn, and power to the next one. Of course, any stiffness or resistance is going to slow you down.

Paul does lots of transitions in his drills as well. It's an easy way to teach the horse to collect and/or shorten their stride.